---------------------------------------------------------- Lightning-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 08/17/09: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 01:44 PM - Re: more prop test info (N1BZRich@AOL.COM) 2. 03:14 PM - flight plan code (Tex Mantell) 3. 04:08 PM - Re: flight plan code (JOSEPH MATHIAS LINDA MATHIAS) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 01:44:01 PM PST US From: N1BZRich@AOL.COM Subject: Re: Lightning-List: more prop test info In a message dated 8/14/2009 4:12:18 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, corky@hbci.com writes: Buz Here is what I came up with prop hub at zero degrees Blade 1 Blade 2 6" in from tip 21 degrees ---- 21.25 degrees 12" in from tip 26 degrees ---- 26 degrees 18" in from tip 30.5 degrees ---- 31 degrees it is hard to get an accurate measurement at 18" because of the contour thanks Dave Dave, I came up with basically the same numbers. After removing the top cowling and making sure the top of the engine was level by shimming under the wheels, I then leveled the prop and took the measurements. Six inches in from the tips measures 21 degrees, 12" in measures 26.5 degrees, and 18 inches in measures 30 inches for both blades - essentially the same measurements you got. If you are sure of the accuracy of your airspeed system and tach, then something on you airframe must be slightly higher drag than on mine. So are you sure about your instrumentation? If so, then starting at the front, here are some airframe areas to look at that many people miss: -How tight does the back of your spinner fit to the from of your cowl? Anything over about 1/4 inch is probably starting to get too wide. Mine is more like 1/8 inch. -Engine cooling drag can be quite high. Don't know how you have yours set up, but if you look at how the prototype Lightning was set up, that is pretty much the way 31BZ is set up. Nick pretty much did the same to the prototype that we had done on 31BZ. -Next, the canopy is pretty flexable and tends to spread out along the canopy rails the faster you go. This produces a relatively high drag area and gets worse the faster you go. It is caused by both airflow around the canopy and airflow into the cockpit if you have the cockpit vents open. So two fixes may be required. First, a fix to vent the cockpit air pressure and another to keep the canopy from flexing out in flight. Nick fixed this on the Lightning by including the pins on the early ones and then tabs on the later ones that hold the canopy rails in. I have modified my airplane with similar tabs. Makes a big difference in noise and drag. If you are hearing airflow noise, you are hearing drag. -Fit of the gear leg fairings are an obvious area to make sure you have good fit. Mine fit tight up against the fuselage (with rubber moldings) and tight against the pants with basically no gaps. Also make sure they are streamlined with the fuselage. (you will have induced yaw if they are not) Wheel pant fit is also important. Do your inboard axles stick out? Mine do not - there is a fairing on each one to cover that. -I have reflexed my flaps and ailerons up slightly. The difference is noticeable, particularly at the speeds I cruise at. -Lastly, on the color spectrum, white and silver are the fastest colors, while red, dark blue, and black are the most maneuverable. Also, keep your paint scheme to mostly straight lines along the flight path of the airplane for the least drag. Curvey lines produce drag. -Obviously a slight bit of "tong in cheek" about that last point, but the others are some things you might want to look at. Blue Skies (the high drag kind) Buz ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 03:14:33 PM PST US From: "Tex Mantell" Subject: Lightning-List: flight plan code I believe its box 3 on the form 7233-1 (flight plan). On my Kitfox I use (HXB/U). What has anybody been using for the Lightning when filing your flight plan? Thanks TEX ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 04:08:26 PM PST US From: "JOSEPH MATHIAS LINDA MATHIAS" Subject: Re: Lightning-List: flight plan code Hi Tex, The correct code for the Lightning is HXB with the equipment code appropriate for your plane. Happy flying, Linda ----- Original Message ----- From: Tex Mantell To: lightning List Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 6:06 PM Subject: Lightning-List: flight plan code I believe its box 3 on the form 7233-1 (flight plan). On my Kitfox I use (HXB/U). What has anybody been using for the Lightning when filing your flight plan? Thanks TEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----- Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 08/17/09 06:08:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message lightning-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Lightning-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/lightning-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/lightning-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.